I'm sure lots of you are already using uber, however I just used it for the first time this weekend and thought it was great. It's probably been around for more than a few months, but the first I heard of it was last month.

Basically, it's an app for your phone to order a taxi. The taxi's (in NZ) are all independently operated and have normal taxi driver licenses. You request a taxi, you see it on the GPS coming towards you. You get in, the app automatically calculates the fare at the end of the ride, and you automatically pay via credit card (no fee).

I've used it 3 times this weekend, what I noticed from my quick sample was:

Advantages:1. Faster for taxi to arrive2. More convenient, I know exactly how long I will wait until the taxi arrives (by looking at the gps map), and exactly when to go out the door.3. Cheaper. My first ride was actually $2 ($12 - $10 first ride discount). The other rides were $8 and $10. Actually the last ride didn't cost me $10, because I signed my girlfriend up and used a $10 discount code on her phone as well. I'd usually be paying around $15-$18.4. Don't need to carry cash, and no credit card transaction fee.5. If you use it at the airport there is no $7 airport taxi fee.

Disadvantages:1. If your phone runs out of batteries you can't use it.2. You can't book taxi in advance.

The other nice thing, is that if you refer your friends to the service you get another $10 off!

If anyone wants to try it, basically install the "uber" app from the app store, then enter your login details (i used facebook) attach a credit card, then enter the promo code "uber10nz"

I'm sure lots of you are already using uber, however I just used it for the first time this weekend and thought it was great. It's probably been around for more than a few months, but the first I heard of it was last month.

Basically, it's an app for your phone to order a taxi. The taxi's (in NZ) are all independently operated and have normal taxi driver licenses. You request a taxi, you see it on the GPS coming towards you. You get in, the app automatically calculates the fare at the end of the ride, and you automatically pay via credit card (no fee).

FYI just to make one thing very clear - Uber is NOT a taxi.

There are lots of people on here who use Uber, and lots of threads discussing the pros and cons of the service.

Yup. You get an extra $10 after the first $10 discount for referring people as stated in first post.

No I'm not affiliated, i just used iforce.co.nz as an image host to post some coupons for my girl friends baguette shop so the deals website your referring to (wrongly) thinks I'm affiliated with iforce.co.nz :p

I'm sure lots of you are already using uber, however I just used it for the first time this weekend and thought it was great. It's probably been around for more than a few months, but the first I heard of it was last month.

Basically, it's an app for your phone to order a taxi. The taxi's (in NZ) are all independently operated and have normal taxi driver licenses. You request a taxi, you see it on the GPS coming towards you. You get in, the app automatically calculates the fare at the end of the ride, and you automatically pay via credit card (no fee).

FYI just to make one thing very clear - Uber is NOT a taxi.

There are lots of people on here who use Uber, and lots of threads discussing the pros and cons of the service.

In nz as far as the customers perspective uber is pretty much a taxi service (albiet cheaper) as the uber drivers in nz all have to have a taxi license.

I'm sure lots of you are already using uber, however I just used it for the first time this weekend and thought it was great. It's probably been around for more than a few months, but the first I heard of it was last month.

Basically, it's an app for your phone to order a taxi. The taxi's (in NZ) are all independently operated and have normal taxi driver licenses. You request a taxi, you see it on the GPS coming towards you. You get in, the app automatically calculates the fare at the end of the ride, and you automatically pay via credit card (no fee).

FYI just to make one thing very clear - Uber is NOT a taxi.

There are lots of people on here who use Uber, and lots of threads discussing the pros and cons of the service.

In nz as far as the customers perspective uber is pretty much a taxi service (albiet cheaper) as the uber drivers in nz all have to have a taxi license.

Uber is NOT a taxi service and the drivers do NOT have a "taxi licence" (there is no such thing). It is a private hire service. They are not the same thing.

Drivers are required to have a P endorsement on their licence which is a general endorsement when passengers are being transported. Yes a taxi needs a P endorsement as well, but so do shuttle drivers, pub/club courtesy shuttles etc.

kiwijunglist: yes , technically it's not a taxi service. From the customers perspective it is pretty much a taxi service, and serves as a cheaper and more convenient stand in to regular taxis.

...and as they don't have a licence to operate a taxi service, the service currently (like a taxi service) is operating illegally. Some have been stopped and ticketed, and if that happens you may find yourself without a ride. Although watch this space as I hear the laws are being looked at.

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

kiwijunglist: From the customers perspective it is pretty much a taxi service, and serves as a cheaper and more convenient stand in to regular taxis.

This perspective is kind of incorrect. Demand pricing is a major component of the business model. If your perspective is that it is always cheaper than a taxi service then you might be surprised.

scuwp: ...and as they don't have a licence to operate a taxi service, the service currently (like a taxi service) is operating illegally. Some have been stopped and ticketed, and if that happens you may find yourself without a ride. Although watch this space as I hear the laws are being looked at.

The legality is debatable. Uber believes it is a bit grey in NZ but legal under current law. So far the company itself has not defended this in nz court.

scuwp:Some have been stopped and ticketed, and if that happens you may find yourself without a ride. Although watch this space as I hear the laws are being looked at.

The transport minster recently stated that innovation should be encouraged and stated the law should be clarified to make it clearer around this kind of service. I have not seen any news of new tickets since this statement.